Wichita eagle., 1887-12-24
OYER one THOUSAND MEN QUIT
WORK.
The Freight Handlers on the Penn
sylyania and Reading Road
Refuse to Work.
The Strike viii Become General all Along
the Line Policemen Guarding
the NOn-UniOn WOrkmen.
Ives and Stayner Dismissed for Lack Of
COnyicting Eyidence-JOel Mayes
Declared Chief of the
Cherokee Nation.

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 23+-Over 900 men
employed by the Philadelphia & Reading
railroad on their lines running from West
Falls to the Port Richmond coal wharves,
either as trainmen, coal handlers, or
freight hands, quit work this afternoon at
40. 1t was caused by the introduction Of
a train crew Of five men to DO work upon
train in which union men were employed
but who had been discharged. This move
will be communicated to all the employees
of the road, and a general strike may be
the result The trouble began yesterday
freight handlers entered the shifting cars
loaded with flour into pier controlled by
the firm of c. " TaylOr's Sons, and re-
fused to deliver any more freight to the
firm unless the non-uniOn laborers EN-
ployed in handling the freight should be
discharged. Superintendent Swigart is
sued an order dicharging the crew who
had refused to handle the freight and
threatening the same punishment 90 other
crews who would follow the precedent.
All the remaining force which consisted
OF four crews, refused to obey the order,
and were discharged. The news of the
discharge quickly spread among the
other employees of the company in Port
Richmond, and the steyedOres to
the number of about COO men
dropped their work. \ committee OF
Knights of Labor called on General Man
ager Mcleod and Superintendent Swigart
for the purpose OF settling the trouble and
preventing a strike. The object was I'M
successful, as the officers would not listen
to any excuse, claiming that the work had
to be done, and if the present employees
found it difficult to obey orders the man
agement would be compelled to
look elsewhere for help. This morning
the officials of the road went to work To
lift the blockade and secured one crew of
non-,IniOn men. 1t was feared that they
would be interfered with by the strikers,
and in response to a call upon the author
tiles, body of about 80 policemen We're
stationed so as 10 best guard against inter
ference. No disturbance occurred, how
ever, and the police found no occasion 10
make any arrests. The move on the boy
cotted freight began at $3.50 p. m. The
news of the renewal of work was
quickly known among the other men and
concerted action of quitting was agreed
upon. An hour was given to allow the
employees on the road from West Falls to
the river to learn OF the determination
and at 4:30. when the sign was given, every
man stopped work Trouble is anticipated
for several days. and it is probable that
the police force will he retained TO protect
the property of the company.
The representatives of the five assemblies
of Reading railroad employees who have
formed "A national trade district assembly
of the Knights of Labor, met tonight and
called general convention for tomorrow
afternoon to take further action in the
matter of the strike II is said upon au-
thority that word has been passed along
the line of the entire road. and
that the 10000 or 10000 men
in the service of that company
will refuse to go to work tomorrow Ii
was stated at the Office of the Reading
railroad that the duty of the company as
common carrier to deliver merchandise to
whoever il might be consigned without re
gard TO any question between the cen
signee and his employees, made it neces-
sary of the general manager that the ears
in the Port Richmond yards 90 out and
that if the men refused to move them they
should he discharged at once from the ser
vice of the company.